SWANSEA CITY striker James Thomas faces a race against time to be fit for the opening game of the season against Rushden & Diamonds on Saturday.

SWANSEA CITY striker James Thomas faces a race against time to be fit for the opening game of the season against Rushden & Diamonds on Saturday.

The 23-year-old forward could be forced to miss the start of the new campaign after limping out of Swansea's final warm-up match at Woking on Monday with a shin injury.

The absence of Thomas would be a major blow to player-coach Nick Cu-sack who sees the former Wales Under-21 international as a "mas-sive" part of his revamped side.

And Thomas, one of the most impressive of Cusack's 10 summer signings, admitted he would be devastated if he failed to recover in time.

"I would be upset if I had to miss the Rushden game after all the hard work I've put in over the summer," said the former Blackburn striker.

"The last thing I want is to be out of the side before the season has even started. There are six strikers at the club which means competition for places is going to be tough.

"If I missed the Rushden game and someone did well, I could end up struggling to get back into the side."

Thomas, who arrived at the Vetch in June after struggling to break into the Blackburn first team, has bagged three goals during Swansea's pre-season campaign - including a double against Dutch side FC Den Haag.

The Swansea-born marksman scored after only six minutes to inflict a 1-0 defeat on Woking but had to be carried off in the 20th minute after getting a kick in the shin.

"It is bruised and a bit tender," he said. "I'm worried that it could be a bit fragile and don't want to do any more damage to it.

"But I will hopefully be OK to play against Rushden. I was out of action with injuries quite a bit last season and I don't want that again."

Thomas - who has also had loan spells at West Bromwich Albion, Blackpool, Sheffield United and Bristol Rovers - has carved out a place in Cusack's preferred XI after excelling in the warm-up matches.

Though Cusack has five other strikers at his disposal - Jamie Wood, David Moss, Steve Watkin, John Williams and Jonathan Keaveny - he admitted losing Thomas would be a major blow.

"James is a massive part of what we are trying to do at the Vetch and we want him fit to face Rushden," said the player-coach.

"Like all the players here, he has worked really hard over the pre-season. His attitude has been first-class and I'm pleased to have him on board.

"Not only has he scored a few goals, he has showed real class on the ball. He is definitely an exciting prospect for the new season."

Thomas won't be alone in aiming to make a fresh start on Saturday with Rushden looking to bounce back from their Third Division play-off disappointment.

Brian Talbot's side are among the promotion favourites after reaching the final at the Millennium Stadium last season where they lost out 3-1 to Cheltenham Town.

Talbot is confident the Diamonds, who thrashed Cusack's side 4-0 at

Nene Park in April, will be in good shape when they arrive at the Vetch on Saturday.

"We played Coventry City in a pre-season friendly at the weekend and I was happy with how we performed," said the former Ipswich and Arsenal player.

"I need to make a few tweaks here and there, but generally I am happy going into the first game of the season at Swansea."